Daily Devotional

Every one of us faces temptation and trials. While trials may come from God, temptation never does. God may send us trials to test us, but He will never send us temptation. When we are tested by God the goal is always for us to succeed. A good teacher will give you everything you need to succeed when tested. Temptation’s only goal is for us to fail. If we give into temptation, then we will engage in sin. James goes on to say in verse 15, “Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.” God does not tempt us because He does not want us to sin or to suffer eternal death.

We will face times of difficulty and hardship, but this is meant to test our faith and show it to be genuine. The Apostle Paul called the difficulties of this life “light and momentary afflictions” (2 Cor. 4:17) and said they can’t compare with the greatness of what awaits us. If we’re honest we’d all agree that our difficulties seldom feel “light and momentary”, and they probably didn’t feel that way to Paul either. This is the same Paul who was beaten with rods (three times), shipwrecked (three times), pummeled by stones, a drift at sea for a full day and night, often going without food, and in constant danger (2 Cor. 11:25-27).
 
Those were some of the trials Paul faced. Everyone faces different kinds of trials, none of which are enjoyable. Through them all we need to keep the right perspective. My three-year-old son was once making his way through a crowd of people. Being that he’s so young he’s of course not very tall. When we get in a crowd all he sees is legs. As he worked his way through this crowd, he grabbed onto a pair of legs he thought belonged to his mom…except they didn’t. When he finally looked up and saw a strange face attached to those legs, he was quite alarmed. From where I was standing, I could see the whole thing unfold. I’m slightly taller than my three-year-old son and thereby I have a different perspective; I was able to see things differently.

When we face trials, it’s easy to question God (I know I have!). We have to remember that God has a different perspective; He sees things differently. When we remember that God is with us and has given us everything we need to endure our trials, it helps shift our perspective.  Whatever you are facing, God wants you to succeed, He sees the way through, He walks with You, and will guide you. We can trust and rely on Him, always.

English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.